90 Bird -Lore 



of these are West Indian species which have been observed but once and 

 that in the Tortugas at the extreme west end of the Florida Keys. 



Season. — Coincident with the wide distribution and insect-eating habits 

 Swallows are highly migratory. Only one species winters in the eastern 

 United States; this, the Tree Swallow, is therefore, as might be expected, 

 the first of its family to appear in the spring, reaching the latitude of New 

 York City about April 5 and remaining until the latter half of October 

 after all other members of its family have departed. , 



Color. — While varying somewhat widely in color Swallows, as a rule, 

 agree in having their colors distributed in solid masses, and there is an 

 absence of streaks and spots, each feather being usually of one color. The 

 steel blue or green of our Barn or Tree Swallows is characteristic of many 

 species. 



External Structure. — Long pointed wings,*small feet, short, weak, 

 hooked bills and wide gaps cut back nearly, if not quite to the eyes, with a 

 notched, and sometimes deeply forked tail are the obvious external char- 

 acters of Swallows. 



Appearance and Habits. — Swallows are birds of the air, feeding on the 

 wing aud doubtless covering every day more miles than some terrestrial 

 species do in a season. Their power of flight is synonymous with speed 

 and grace, but when on the ground they are correspondingly weak and 

 awkward, the wings apparently having been developed at the expense of 

 the feet. 



Song . — While not considered song birds some species of Swallows — 

 notably our Barn Swallow — have bright and cheery call notes or twittering 

 songs which are often quite as pleasing as more ambitious vocal efforts. 



Family 9. Waxwings. Ampelida. 



Range. — This family contains only the Japanese Waxwing of Japan and 

 eastern Siberia, the Bohemian Waxwing, which inhabits the northern parts 

 of both hemispheres, and our Cedar Waxwing, which ranges over the 

 greater part of North America. 



Season. — The Cedar Waxwing is a permanent resident from Virginia 

 northward, but of irregular occurrence in the northern portion of its range 

 during the winter. The Bohemian Waxwing is a very rare winter visitant. 



Color. — The Waxwings are rich grayish brown, and the adults are dis- 

 tinguished by having sealing-wax-like tips on the secondaries and yellow 

 bands at the end of the tail. 



External Structure. — With the Waxwings the wings are rather long and 

 pointed, the bill short and rather stout; the head is crested, and the feath- 

 ers of the lores are black and velvety. 



Appearance and Habits. — Except when nesting, Waxwings are usually 

 found in small flocks the members of which seem to be animated by one 



